Kemin Industries has acquired equity position in Aptimmune Biologics and created Kemin Biologics to market Aptimmune's Barricade™ technology in swine.

As of July 31, 2018, Kemin is an equity shareholder in Aptimmune and has exclusive rights to its vaccines and vaccine technologies outside the United States.

As part of the Kemin-Aptimmune partnership, the companies have formed Kemin Biologics, which will manufacture and market Aptimmune's proprietary Barricade™ swine vaccine technology and products outside the US.

According to Andy Smythe, Technical Sales and Marketing Director for Aptimmune Biologics, the relationship with Kemin is an ideal fit for both companies.

"Kemin has a strong global presence and is focused on providing innovative nutritional and health solutions for a changing world," said Smythe. "We are very excited to combine Aptimmune's expertise in mucosal vaccine technology with Kemin's global business vision."

In the US market, Aptimmune will retain development, sales and marketing responsibilities for its intellectual property and existing vaccine products made with Barricade technology. The Kemin Biologics partnership will be managed by representatives from both companies.

"With this new partnership and the creation of Kemin Biologics, Kemin will work with Aptimmune to achieve synergies and provide worldwide reach to new vaccine technologies developed through this partnership," said GS Ramesh, Global Group President of Animal Nutrition and Health for Kemin Industries. "We see great potential in the marketplace for vaccines and are optimistic about this new business venture for Kemin. Our Animal Nutrition and Health group is driven to improve the health of livestock and ensure the safety of our food supply. Aptimmune's Barricade swine vaccine technology is another way we can do so."

Both parties believe this partnership is ideal, as it brings together Kemin's long-standing dedication to novel and value-added products in the global marketplace and Aptimmune's unique and field-tested Barricade swine product portfolio.

"As a global company focused on improving the quality of life for more than half the people around the world, Kemin is dedicated to innovation, and the vaccine marketplace is a new, important space for our Company to explore," said Dr. Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin Industries.

As stated by Robert Nordgren, Chairman of the Board for Aptimmune, "The additional resources that Aptimmune will share with Kemin and the formation of Kemin Biologics will allow the R&D teams to advance new programmes in the swine respiratory disease field for swine producers here in the US, and Kemin can focus on expanding the platform in key international markets."